Early Access

Screenings • Awareness • Outreach

Improving Access to Early Screening and Connection to Needed Services

In order to ensure optimal outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, early identification and early intervention are key. The first steps in this process are awareness and screening. Families should be aware of the developmental milestones that children typically reach around certain ages as well as warning signs that could possibly indicate risk for ASD or other developmental delays. Screening provides families who have concerns about their child’s development to quickly and efficiently find out if their child is at risk for ASD and needs further assessment. Screening is not the same thing as diagnostic evaluation and cannot identify whether a child does or does not have autism. Instead, screening is tool, or stepping stone, that can determine what the next step should be.

Early Access works with Community Screening Partners throughout the state to provide screenings that address autism risk as well as general developmental health. Early Access community partners are trained in administering appropriate screening instruments as well as providing families with resource referrals and information to help them on their way.

Early Access is a part of the Oklahoma Autism Center and is funded in part through a contract with the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council and a grant from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. We collaborate with public and private agencies statewide to address current screening needs and strengthen long-term, community-based screening capacity.

Autism Screenings

The Early Access Team and Community Screening Partner Network provide screening services throughout the state. In order to ensure optimal outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, early identification and early intervention are key. The first steps in this process are awareness and screening. Families should be aware of the developmental milestones that children typically reach around certain ages as well as warning signs that could possibly indicate risk for ASD or other developmental delays.

Screening provides families who have concerns about their child’s development to quickly and efficiently find out if their child is at risk for ASD and needs further assessment. Screening is not the same thing as diagnostic evaluation and cannot identify whether a child does or does not have autism. Instead, screening is tool, or stepping stone, that can determine what the next step should be.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, screening can show possible risk for Autism Spectrum disorder or other delays and what sort of further assessment may be needed. All screenings include resources and referrals to help the family take the next steps toward providing for their child’s long-term developmental health.

Ten Early Warning Signs for Autism

Does not react to caregiver reaching to pick him or her

Rarely imitates expressions

Delayed or infrequent babbling

Does not respond to his or her name

Does not gesture to communicate

Poor eye contact

Seeks your attention infrequently

Unusual body movements

Does not reach up when parents try to pick him or her up

Delays in motor development

A Little Of Our Story

Awareness & Outreach

In addition to providing direct screening services, Early Access also conduct awareness activities and seeks to build screening capacity throughout the state. A key part of the Early Access Project is the training and support of existing agences and organizations as Community Screening Partners who are able to provide screening services for their own clients and communities.

Early Access Community Screening Partners are provided with awareness and screening training and high-quality screening instruments. Early access also provides ongoing promotional and technical support for Screening Partners.